Behind the Lens: A Summer Chase for Bugs, Birds, and Butterflies
There is a distinct thrill in grabbing your camera gear, heading out into the summer air, and seeing what nature decides to throw your way. On July 8th, with the weather sitting at a beautiful 77°F, I headed out to Black Machine with a simple mission: capture some birds, bugs, and butterflies on camera.
When you step out into the field, you always have a checklist of what you hope to find. But if wildlife photography teaches you anything, it’s that nature doesn't always follow your script!
The Reality of the Chase: High Hopes & Lots of Wings
While I was keeping my eyes peeled for a mix of everything, the birds and butterflies decided to play hard to get. Instead, the day belonged entirely to the bugs—specifically, an incredible amount of dragonflies!
"I didn't get birds, bugs, butterflies. I got bugs. So, a lot of dragonflies. A lot of dragonflies."
Honestly? No complaints here. Dragonflies make for incredible photography subjects. Their iridescent wings, hovering capabilities, and brilliant colors offer a fantastic challenge for any lens.
The Thrill of the Unknown
One of the best parts of wildlife photography is the mystery. You snap a quick sequence, zoom in on your display, and realize you’ve caught something completely new to you.
That happened during this trip—I caught one specific insect that I couldn't immediately name. Half the fun of a day like this is heading back to the desk, cracking open the reference guides, and identifying exactly what crossed your path.
The Final Gallery
The birds and butterflies might have won this round of hide-and-seek, but the dragonfly shots made the whole trip worth it.
What about you? What's the most unexpected creature that's ever crashed your photo session? Let me know in the comments below!
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